DID YOU READ

What to Watch on IFC in October 2008

If Friday at midnight Grindhouse flicks aren’t enough to scare the crap out of you, we’re paying homage to Halloween with a month of even more indie fright. Every Thursday in October beginning at 9PM Eastern, we’ve got three back-to-back horror films, including freaky faves like “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “The Return of the Living Dead.” And of course, what would Halloween be without, well, “Halloween,” John Carpenter’s often imitated but never duplicated slasher that yielded some of cinema’s most iconic music, as well as a classic costume.

Then, we have films that single-handedly terrified most of the population into avoiding going away to camp, like “The Burning” and “Madman.” If those aren’t enough to send shivers down your spine, even scarier than regular ol’ blood and gore are terrifying true stories. Don’t miss “Ed Gein,” a film about the serial killer who, among other things, created furniture and belts from human remains and served as the inspiration for “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” Also being served up: the incredibly warped “Strangeland,” for which Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider must have taken his band’s name to heart when writing; David Cronenberg’s “Scanners”; “Eaten Alive,” Tobe Hooper’s follow up to “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”; Philippe Mora’s utterly disturbing “The Beast Within”; and Christopher Walken as a vengeful angel in “The Prophecy.”

And, for the faint of heart, don’t fret. Comedy prevails in October as “Z Rock” keeps rollin’ with new episodes. Plus, the Automat, our new night of programming, chugs away every Tuesday with exclusive series, including British import “The IT Crowd,” anime and, of course, films.

PREMIERES TO LOOK FOR

THE BALLAD OF JACK AND ROSE Enough can’t be said on the talent of Daniel Day Lewis. In this coming of age film, he plays an aging activist who’s protected his daughter (Camilla Belle) from “corrupting” influences all her life by raising her on a remote island, only to realize she’ll have to live in the outside world once he dies. Premieres Saturday, October 4th @ 7PM Eastern.

TSOTSI This touching South African film won an Academy Award for foreign language film in 2006. It follows a violent teenage thug who ends up caring for an infant after a botched carjacking. Premieres Saturday, October 5th @ 1:45PM Eastern.

MANDERLAY In his follow-up to “Dogville,” Danish provocateur Lars Von Trier directs this tale of an idealistic 1930s woman (Bryce Dallas Howard) who stumbles on a plantation that still practices slavery. Her attempts to abolish the practice go horribly wrong. Premieres Sunday, October 12th @ 3:30PM Eastern.

JEEPERS CREEPERS Victor Salva’s tale of teen siblings (Gina Philips and Justin Long) being menaced by a flesh-eating monster is one of the smartest, freakiest horror flicks to hit theaters in years. Premieres Sunday, October 12th @ 9:30PM Eastern.

CHICAGO Back when the Weinsteins were still the forces behind Miramax, the brothers brought back to life a genre that had gone untouched for years — the Broadway musical. The gamble paid off, and the film pulled in six Oscars, including Best Picture. Premieres Saturday, October 18th @ 9PM Eastern.

The Best Of The Last

The end is near. In mere days Portlandia wraps up its final season, and oh what a season it’s been. Lucky for you, you can watch the entire season right now right here and on the IFC app, including this free episode courtesy of Subaru.

But now, let’s take a moment to look back at some of the new classics Fred and Carrie have so thoughtfully bestowed upon us. (We’ll be looking back through tear-blurred eyes, but you do you.)

Couples Dinner

It’s not that being single sucks, it’s that you suck if you’re single.

Cancel it!

A sketch for anyone who has cancelled more appointments than they’ve kept. Which is everyone.

Forgotten America

This one’s a “Serial” killer…everything both right and wrong about true crime podcasts.

Wedding Planners

The only bad wedding is a boring wedding.

Disaster Hut

It’s only the end of the world if your doomsday kit doesn’t include rosé.

Your Portlandia Personality Test

Carrie and Fred understand that although we have so much in common, we’re each so beautifully unique and different. To help us navigate those differences, Portlandia has found an easy and honest way to embrace our special selves in the form of a progressive new traffic system: a specific lane for every kind of driver. It’s all in honor of the show’s 8th and final season, and it’s all presented by Subaru.

Ready to find out who you really are? Match your personality to a lane and hop on the expressway to self-understanding.

Lane 10: Trucks Piled With Junk

Your junk is falling out of your trunk. Shake a tail light, people — this lane is for you.

Lane 33: Twins

You’re like a Gemini, but waaaay more pedestrian. Maybe you and a friend just wear the same outfits a lot. Who cares, it’s just twinning enough to make you feel special.

Lane 27: Broken Windows

Bad luck follows you around and everyone knows it. Your proverbial seat is always damp from proverbial rain. Is this the universe telling you to swallow your pride? Yes.

Lane 69: Filthy Cars

You’re all about convenience. Getting your car washed while you drive is a no-brainer.

Lane 43: Newly Divorced Singles

It’s been a while since you’ve driven alone, and you don’t know the rules of the road anymore. What’s too fast? What’s too slow? Are you sending the right signals? Don’t worry, the breakdown lane is nearby if you need it.

Still can’t find a lane to match your personality? Check out all the videos here. And see the final season of Portlandia this spring on IFC.

Last-Minute Holiday Gift Guide

It’s the final countdown to Christmas and thanks to IFC’s movie marathon all Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, you can revel in classic ’80s films AND find inspiration for your last-minute gifts. Here are our recommendations, if you need a head start:

Musical Instrument

Great analog entertainment substitute when you refuse to give your kid the Nintendo Switch they’ve been drooling over.

Breakfast In Bed

Any significant other or child would appreciate these Uncle Buck-approved flapjacks. Just make sure you’re not stuck on clean up duty.

Cocktail Supplies

You’ll need them to get through the holidays.

Dance Lessons

So you can learn to shake-shake-shake (unless you know ghosts willing to lend a hand).

Comfy Clothes

With all the holiday meals, there may be some…embigenning.

Get even more great inspiration all Christmas Eve and Day on IFC, and remember…